Brake-hanger.



PATBNTED MAY 30, 1905.

W. H. WILKINSON. BRAKE HANGER.

APPLIUATION FILED 001.1a,1904.

2 V 'INVENTOR A TTORkE Patented May 30, 19( 5.

PATENT FFIQE.

IVALTER H. IVILKINSON, OF KINGSTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE PECKHAMMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF KINGSTON, NEW YORK,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

BRAKE-HANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,991, dated May 30,1905.

Application filed October 18, 1904. Serial No. 228,935.

To all 1071,0771, it may concern:

Be it known that LWVALTER H. WILKINSON, residing at Kingston, in thecounty of Ulster and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvementsin Brake-Hangers, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to the means of suspension of a brake-shoe.

One of the objects thereof is to provide a brake-hanger which shall beadapted to be securely supported from a truck-frame and in which allchattering will be-obviated.

Another object is to provide means for securely fastening the same to atransom.

Another object is to provide a simple and readily-accessible means ofadjustment whereby all looseness of the several parts due to Wear orother cause may be taken up.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the combinations of elements,arrangement of parts, and features of construction,which Will beexemplified in the device herein described and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown one of various possibleembodiments of my invention, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of thesame, taken substantially on the line r w of Fig. 2 and showing abrake-shoe and a portion of a wheel in elevation. Fig. 2 is an elevationof some of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout bothviews.

In order to render clearer the general nature of my invention, it may benoted that in constructions of this general type substantially theentire stress due to the engagement of the wheels by the brake-shoes istransmitted through the hangers to the truck-frame. Due to this fact thehangers must necessarily be of strong construction and must be stronglyand rigidly secured to the truck-frame and through recess 18.

yet have the desired free rocking movement with relation thereto. Thisis well accomplished by bringing the point of support of the hangers asnear as possible to the transom from which they are supported. In thismanner the leverage exercised upon the supporting-bracket by the hangeris shortened and the tendency to tear the parts free from the framediminished. This effect is heightened by providing an upper portion ofthe bracket projecting substantially over the same and rigidly securingthis part to the outturned flange of the transom. It is also highlydesirable to have the means of adjustment whereby the chattering of thehanger is obviated readily accessible without the necessity of removingany part of the truck.

The above and other advantages are attained in constructions of thenature of that hereinafter described.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, there is represented at l abrake-beam of a well-known metallic type, having secured at its endsbrake-shoes 2, adapted to engage in the ordinary manner with the wheels3. On brake-beam 1 is mounted a bearing 4L, wh1ch is held in place bymeans of bolt 5 and is provided at its upper surface with a convexportion 6. Upon the lower surface of this bearing there is formed aconcave recess 7 for the purposes hereinafter described, and an opening8, registering with a similar opening 9 1n the brake-beam, is alsoprovided. Secured within the angle formed by the outwardlyprojectingflange 10 of a transom 11 1s a bracket 12, which is formed with sidewings 13 and a horizontal connecting-web 14:. The latter part fitsbeneath flange 10 upon the transom 11 and is held in place by means ofbolts 15. The rear wall of the bracket is also secured to the transom,as by means of bolt 16 or in any other desired manner. Within bracket 12is a depending hook 17, recessed, as shown at 18. is a link or T-bolt19, the T-head formed thereon or secured thereto resting within the sameand the shank passing downwardly About thislink or bolt is SupportedWithin this hook positioned a sleeve 20, the upper and lower portions ofwhich lit, respectively, the lower surface of the hook 17 and the upperconvex portion 6 of the bearing L. This sleeve has a rocking connectionwith reference to these parts, or, in other words, isadapted tooscillate about the same, the contacting surfaces being of equal radiiof curvature. By rocking connection as used throughout thisspecification and in the following claims is meant such a relation aswill permit the member having said connection to oscillate or rock aboutthe member with which it is connected. The inner surface of sleeve 20 ispreferably recessed, as shown at 21, so as to obviate friction inadjustment, as will be clear from the description of operationhereinafter given. Bolt 19 projects through the openings 8 and 9,formed, respectively, in bearing L and brake-beam 1, and passes throughan opening or perforation 22 in arocker-block 23, which fits the concaverecessed portion 7 in the lower part of the bearing. This rocker-blockis provided with a depending base against which a nut 24, tapped uponbolt 19, is adapted to abut, a projecting shoulder 25 formed thereonpreferably fitting within a suitable recess in the lower surface of therockerblock. A check or look nut 26 is provided, and, if desired, alinchpin 27 may be passed throughthe lower extremity of the bolt inorder to obviate the possibility of the parts becoming loosened anddetached.

The curved surfaces of recess 7 and projection 6, together with thesurfaces of the rocker-block and hanger, respectively contactingtherewith, are concentric, so as to permit a free rocking movement ofthe link and T-bolt 19 and the surrounding sleeve with reference to thebearing-block without any cramping or loosening of the several parts. Inlike manner the upper and lower surfaces of the supporting hook 17 areconcentric about the center of the T-head of bolt 19, and thus permit asimilar free rocking movement.

It may here be noted that by the term brake-hanger asused throughoutthis specification and in the following claims is intended any meanswhereby brake-shoes are either directly or indirectly supported.

The operation of the above-described embodiment of my invention issubstantially as follows: Assuming the parts to be lying in the positionshown in the drawings, a free rocking movement is permitted thebrakebeam with respect to the link and sleeve,which together constitutethe hanger proper, and also of these parts with respect to the bracketfrom which they are supported. Owing to this freedom of movement thebrake-shoes may be readily either applied or retracted, the brake-beammoving substantially in its own plane and the brake hanger oscillatingwith reference to the beam and to the supportingbracket. Any loosenessin the device due to wear of the contacting surfaces or other cause isreadily taken up by means of the adjustingnut 2 L, which is locked inposition in a wellknown manner by lock-nut 26. In this manner thebraking mechanism is maintained in such condition that any chattering ofthe parts upon the application of the brakes is obviated and yet entirefreedom in application is attained. The severe stresses to which thebrake-hanger is subjected are thus transmitted directly to the bracketat a point which is closely adjacent to the transom 11, and the tendencyto tear this part free from the transom is materially lessened, thisstrength and rigidity being increased by the connection between theoutwardly-projecting flange 10 of the transom and the corresponding partof the bracket. Although the upper portion of the hanging-link is thusto a certain extent somewhat inaccessible, it is generally unnecessaryto have access to the same, as the entire adjustment is carried out bymeans of the nuts 24 and 26, which are in a convenient position.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a simple and convenient meansof supporting braking mechanism whereby the same has a connection to theframe which is strong and rigid to a marked degree. Moreover, thebrake-beam is supported directly from the hanger, thus insuring a morecompact construction and uniform application of the brakes. It will alsobe noted that the several parts are easily assembled and adjusted andthat the same are of simple and durable construction. The overhangingflange of the bracket, moreover, tends to lessen the accumulation ofdust within the bearing of T-bolt 19, as well as to increase thestrength of construction, as before set forth. It may also be noted thatthe construction herein described is applicable with slight changes tomany forms of trucks now in use.

As many changes could be made in the abov construction and manyapparently widely different embodiments of my invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, I intend that all mattercontained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense. I desire it also to be understood that the language used in thefollowing claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specificfeatures of the invention herein described and all statements of thescope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said tofall therebetween.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is A 1. In a brake-hanger, in combination, ashoesupporting member, a bracket, a bolt supporting said shoe-supportingmember on said bracket, a sleeve about said bolt adapted to maintainsaid bracket and said shoe-supporting member at a fixed distance apart,and adjusting means upon said bolt positioned below said shoe-supportingmember whereby the effective length of the same can be varied.

2. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a shoesupporting member, abracket, a bolt supported on said bracket projecting through saidshoe-supporting member, a sleeve about said bolt adapted to maintainsaid bracket and said shoe-supporting member at a constant distanceapart; an adjusting means upon the lower end of said bolt whereby theeffective length thereof can be varied, and a projecting flange uponsaid bracket overhanging the connection of said bolt therewith.

3. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a shoesupporting member, abracket, a bolt supported on said bracket projecting through saidshoe-supporting member, a sleeve about said bolt adapted to maintainsaid bracket and said shoe-supporting member at a constant distanceapart; an adjusting means upon the lower end of said bolt whereby theeffective length thereof can be varied, and a projecting flange uponsaid bracket overhanging the connection of said bolt therewith, saidbolt andv said sleeve having rocking connections with said bracket andsaid shoe-supporting member.

4. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a shoesupporting member having apart thereon the upper surface of which is convex and the lower surfaceof which is concave, asupporting member the upper surface of which isconcave and the lower surface of which is convex, a sleeve restingagainst said convex surfaces, a bolt passing through said sleeve andresting within the concave portion of said second-mentioned member, arocker-block positioned upon said bolt and resting within the lowerconcave surface upon said shoe-supporting member and a nut upon saidbolt abutting against said rocker-block whereby the eflective length ofsaid bolt can be varied, said convex and concave surfaces upon saidsupporting member and upon said brake-supporting member beingsubstantially concentric.

5. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a brake-supporting member, anangle-transom, a bracket fitting within said transom and secured to theflanges thereof, a hooked supporting member within said bracket, abearingblock on said brake-supporting member, a T- bolt resting withinand projecting through said hooked supporting member and saidbearing-block, a sleeve about said T-bolt abutting against the lowersurface of said hooked supporting member and the upper surface of saidbearing-block, a rocker-block on said T-bolt resting within saidbearing-block and means whereby the effective length of said T-bolt canbe varied.

6. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a shoesupporting member having apart thereon the upper surface of which is convex and the lower surfaceof which is concave, a supporting member the upper surface of which isconcave and the lower surface of which is convex, a sleeve restingagainst said convex surfaces, a T-bolt passing through said sleeve andresting within the concave portion of said supporting member, arocker-block positioned upon said bolt and resting within the lowerconcave surface upon said shoe-supporting member and a nut upon saidT-bolt abutting against said rocker-block whereby the efiective lengthof said bolt can be varied, said convex and concave surfaces upon saidsupporting member and upon said brake'supporting member beingsubstantially concentric.

7. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a brake-supporting member,'anangle-transom, a bracket fitting within said transom and secured to theflange thereof, a hooked supporting member within said bracket, abearingblock upon said brake-supporting member, a T-bolt resting withinand projecting through said hooked supporting member and saidbearing-block, a sleeve about said T-bolt abutting against the lowersurface of said hooked supporting member and the upper surface of saidbearing-block, a rocker-block on said T- bolt resting within saidbearing-block and means whereby the effective length of said T-bolt canbe varied, said T-bolt and sleeve having rocking connections with saidbracket and said bearing-block.

8. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a shoesupporting member, atruck-frame, a bracket resting within said truck-frame and beneath anoverhanging flange thereof, said bracket being provided with a portionresting against said flange and secured thereto a hook-shaped member insaid bracket, a sleeve abutting against the lower surface of saidhook-shaped member and an upwardlyprojecting part upon saidshoe-supporting member, a T-bolt within said sleeve resting with itstransverse portion within said hook-shaped memher and projecting throughthe same and. through said shoe supporting member, a rocker-blockengaging a downwardly-projecting part upon said shoe-supporting memberand an adjusting-nut upon said bolt abutting against said rocker-block,the transverse portion of said T-bolt being positioned within saidbracket and below the flange upon said truck-frame, and said T-bolt andsleeve having rocking connections with said hook-shaped andshoe-supporting members.

9. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a brake-beam, a bracket, a boltresting within said bracket and projecting through said brake-beam, asleeve about said bolt stretched between said bracket and saidbrake-beam in? an adjusting-nut on the lower end of said 10. In abrake-hanger, in combination, a

brake-beam, a bracket, a hook-shaped part within said bracket, a T-boltresting against and projecting through said part and extending throughsaid brake-beam, a sleeve about said T-bolt abutting against saidbrake-beam and the lower portion of said hook-shaped part, arocker-block upon said T-bolt resting against a downwardly-projectingpart on said brake-beam and an adjusting-nut tapped upon said T-bolt andabutting against said rockerblock.

11. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a brake-beam, a bracket, ahook-shaped part within said bracket, a T-bolt resting against andprojecting through said part and extending through said brake-beam, asleeve about said T-bolt abutting against an upwardly-projecting part onsaid brake-beam and said hookshaped part, a rocker-block upon saidT-bolt resting against a downwardly-projecting part on said brake beamand an adjusting nut tapped upon said T-bolt and abutting against saidrocker block, said bracket being provided with a flange overhanging saidhookshaped part.

12. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a brake-beam, a bracket, ahook-shaped part within said bracket,a T-bolt resting within andprojecting through said part and extending through said brakebeam,asleeve about said T- bolt abutting against an upwardly-projecting parton said brake-beam and the lower portion of said hook-shaped part, arocker-block upon said T-bolt resting against a downwardly-projectingpart on said brake-beam, an adjusting-nut tapped upon said T-bolt andabutting against said rocker-block, said bracket being provided with aflange overhanging said hookshaped part and an angle transom withinwhich said bracket is fitted, the outwardlyprojecting flange thereofbeing secured to the flange of said bracket.

13. In a brake-hanger, in combination, a brake-beam, a bearing-blockthereon, an angle-transom, a bracket secured to said angletransom andresting between the flanges thereof, a hook-shaped part within saidbracket below the flange of said angle-transom, a T- bolt resting withinand projecting through said hook shaped member and extending throughsaid bearing-block and brake-beam, a sleeve about said T-bolt abuttingagainst the upper surface of said bearing-block and the lower surface ofsaid hook-shaped part, a rocker-block on said T-bolt engaging the lowersurface of said bearing-block and an adjusting-nut tapped upon saidT-bolt abutting against the lower surface of said rockerblock, said linkand sleeve having a rocking connection with said hook-shaped member andsaid bearing-block.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

IV ALTER H. WILKINSON.

\Nitnesses:

J o.- J. RILEY, G. H. BowERs.

